Recording calls on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways with step-by-step instructions

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is still a popular choice among users who value balance of price and functionality, and one of the most popular features is recording phone conversations, which can be useful for storing important conversations, evidence, or just personal notes, but depending on the MIUI firmware version and regional settings, this functionality can be hidden or disabled by default.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to enable Redmi 8 call recording, from standard system tools to third-party applications with advanced features. We will focus on the nuances of the function on different versions of MIUI (11, 12, 13+), as well as solving typical problems - for example, when recording is interrupted or not saved. If you encounter a message "Not possible to record due to operator restrictions" or simply can not find the desired option on the menu, here you will find working solutions.

Important: Before you start, check the firmware version. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. It depends on which of the proposed methods will be the most effective.

1. Standard call record in MIUI: where to look for settings?

Most versions of MIUI for Redmi 8 have a phone recording feature built into the Phone app, but its location may vary. Since MIUI 12, developers have started to hide this option for some regions due to legal restrictions (for example, recording conversations without the consent of the interlocutor is prohibited in the EU), however, the feature is available on most devices with MIUI 11 and global firmware.

To activate the recording:

1. Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Settings».
3. Go to the "Talk Recording" section (or "Call Recording" in English).
4. Activate the “Write Automatically” switch or select “Write Manually” (if you want to control the process).

If the “Recording Conversations” section is not on the menu, it could mean:

• 📱 You have regional firmware without this feature (e.g, MIUI EU org-stamp).
• 🔄 The function is disabled at the operator level (check if your tariff blocks the entry).
• 🛠️ System updates are required (relevant to the MIUI 11 and below).

2. Why is the entry not on the menu? Regional restrictions and circumvention

On firmware devices in the EU, India and some other regions, call recording can be software-enabled, due to local privacy laws, but can be re-enabled in two ways:

Method 1: Change of the region of the system

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and Region.
2. Select the region where recording is allowed (for example, Russia, Indonesia or Thailand).
3. Reboot your phone. After that, the "Talk Record" section should appear in the settings of the Phone app.

Method 2: Installation of global firmware

If the region change didn’t work, you can flash the device on MIUI Global (for example, the version for Russia or Indonesia), a more radical method that requires unlocking the bootloader and using the Mi Flash Tool. You can find detailed instructions on firmware in our article “How to flash Redmi 8 without the risk of a breeze”.

⚠️ Note: Change of region may affect the operation of some services (for example, Google Pay or banking applications). → System system → Backup.

3. Manual control of recording during call

If the automatic recording doesn't work, or if you want to selectively save conversations, you can manually run it right during the call.

1. Make or take the call.
2. On the call screen, click the Record button (mic icon or dot mug). If you don't have a button, tap three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Write down».
3. To stop the recording, press the same button again.

Ready records are saved in the folder MIUI/sound_recorder/call_rec (It is available through any file manager, such as Xiaomi Files —.m4a or.amr, played by a standard player.

Check the free space on your phone (recording takes ~1 MB/minute)

Make sure the microphone is not silenced (no active Do Not Disturb mode)

Close background apps that use a microphone (such as voice assistants)

Turn off Bluetooth headphones (they may interfere with recordings)

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If the recording button does not appear even after changing the region, try resetting the settings of the Phone application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the phone and select the storage.
3. Click on “Clear Data” and “Reset Settings”.

4. Third-party applications for recording: TOP-3 solutions

If the built-in feature is not available or is unstable, you can use third-party programs, and we tested dozens of applications and selected the three most reliable ones for Redmi 8:

Before installing, check the app's permissions: it must request access to the microphone, contacts, and storage.

1. Open the application and resolve all requests.
2. Select the sound source in the settings: for Redmi 8, “Standard” is usually the right one «VOIP».
3. Activate automatic recording or set rules (for example, record only incoming calls).

⚠️ Note: Some applications (e.g. Cube) ACR) They may conflict with the built-in recording module. MIUI. If after installation, the standard record stopped working, disable third-party software or reset its settings.

5. Problem Solving: Recording is not saved or interrupted

Redmi 8 users often experience a recording suddenly terminated or files not saved, and here are the typical reasons and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔋 Low battery charge: If the charge level is below 15%, the system can pause background processes, including recording.
• 📱 Battery Optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization, Find the Recording App and Select “No Limits».
• 🎤 Microphone Conflict: Close other apps that use the microphone (like Google Assistant or WhatsApp while you’re in a voice message).
• 📁 Storage problems: Make sure there is enough space on the phone (records take up) ~1 MB/minute. Clear the cache through Settings → Warehouse.

If records are saved but not played, check:

• File format: MIUI defaults to.m4a, which is not supported by all players. Install VLC or convert to MP3.
• File corruption: try opening the recording on another device, and if you can't, delete it and re-record it.

Legal aspects: can conversations be recorded?

Before you activate the entry, please read the laws of your country. Most regions have the following rules:

• 🇷🇺 Russia: Recording a conversation without the consent of the interlocutor is allowed if you are a participant in the conversation (Article 23 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation), however, using the recording in court may require proof of its authenticity.
• 🇪🇺 European Union: Recording without consent is banned in most EU countries (GDPR). Exception – if the interlocutor is notified of the recording (for example, through an automatic voice message).
• 🇺🇸 U.S.: Laws vary by state, and some (e.g., California) require consent from all participants in a conversation.

To avoid legal risks:

• Always notify the person about the recording (e.g., “The conversation is being recorded to record the information. Do you mind?”).
• Do not distribute the recordings without the consent of the participants.
• Use the records only for personal purposes (for example, for notes) or as agreed.

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If you need to record an important conversation for legal purposes, use two devices: one to record (with the consent of the interlocutor), the other to record the date / time (for example, through the Automatic Call Recorder app with time stamps).

7.Alternative methods: recording via a second device

If the software doesn't work, you can record a conversation with a second phone or a voice recorder, which is universal and independent of Redmi 8's firmware.

You'll need:

• The second phone (or voice recorder) with the recording mode turned on.
• Headphones with microphone (optional, for better sound).
• A quiet room (to minimize noise)

Instructions:

1. Put the second phone next to the Redmi 8 (microphone to speaker).
2. Enable recording on the second device (use a voice recorder app, such as Easy Voice Recorder).
3. Activate speakerphone on Redmi 8 to make the sound clearer.
4. After the call is complete, save the recording and, if necessary, trim the extra snippets (for example, in the Lexis Audio Editor app).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔹 It works on any firmware and phone model.
• 🔹 Does not require root rights or system settings changes.
• 🔹 You can record conversations even in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 The sound quality depends on the acoustics of the room.
• 🔸 Additional device required.

8 Frequently Asked Questions